Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Laptop Carrier

Over the weekend I finished the laptop carrier I was working on. It turned out pretty well.


The pattern called for Soft and Stable instead of batting. I really like the sturdiness and padding it provides, perfect for valuable electronics. It was also easy to work with. It has more structure than batting so when quilting the pieces you have to roll up the right side when it gets longer than the opening of your machine. But it rolls very easily. The product Soft and Stable is By Annie, as is the pattern I used.

I took a couple of photos of the inside of the carrier before turning it right side out. The edges of the bag are enclosed in binding, except for where the zipper is inserted. I did not take the time to read the pattern before picking out my fabrics. If I had, I probably would have picked a binding fabric that didn't contrast quite so much with the lining. Although the contrasting binding is better for these photographs.



I zig zagged along the edges where the zipper is inserted even though the pattern didn't say to do so. I plan to make another one of these and am working on how I can enclose those raw edges. Putting the binding in these edges was an "adventure" for me. I am also trying to figure out how I could make this part easier. For a start, I think cutting the binding strips wider would help me a lot.

The pattern called for a 16" and a 22" zipper. I used two 22" zippers and cut it to length for the outside pocket after attaching the pocket, like the pattern said to do. That worked well and I recommend using a larger zipper for the outside pocket. However, the 22" zipper isn't quite long enough for the top closure. Mine is about a 1/2" short on both ends. It isn't that noticeable and does not adversely affect the function of the bag, but it bothers me. The By Annie website also sells zippers in two sizes. I will get a double pull zipper, like the 30" zippers on the By Annie website, to use for the top closure next time. A thirty inch zipper will solve my problem.

There are no pockets on the inside of this bag but there is a large zippered pocket on the outside. (See the first photo above.) The pattern also includes instructions to make a laptop purse which does have pockets on the inside as well as a shoulder strap in addition to handles. I don't usually use my laptop carrier as a purse so that option didn't appeal to me, but it is nice that it is included with the plainer option I made up.



5 comments:

West Michigan Quilter said...

I love how this turned out. Great fabrics. I especially like that teal color. Thanks for the link. I've never been there before. Looks like an interesting site.

Denise in PA said...

Thanks for the tip about the Soft and Stable - I'm going to check that out!

Barb said...

I would say it turned out wonderfully!!

Mama Pea said...

It looks nice. I'm glad you got it done. I can see what you meant about the pattern. Thanks for the tips. Zipit is an etsy shop I like that sells a lot of zippers. I don't know if they'd have what you need. Finding a good laptop bag pattern is tough, I think. ;-) Well done. I like the Soft and Stable stuff, too....for the same reasons.

merinz said...

What a lovely and functional bag you have made. I am very interested in the soft and stable product and will look around here to see if anything like it is available.